Badge of Honor: Alexandria Deputy Earns National Spotlight for Community Connection

Alexandria, VA — The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO) is honored to be among the 12 finalists in the 2026 Community Policing in Action Photo Contest, held by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.

ASO’s finalist submission, “Connecting with our Future,” features Sergeant Myrna Juarez with a safety patrol member at a community event at Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center last year.

Sergeant Juarez has served at the Sheriff’s Office for more than 18 years and is currently the community outreach supervisor. At an event in September, she met Emily, a fourth grader at Cora Kelly School and member of her school’s safety patrol. Recognizing Emily’s commitment to keeping her classmates safe, Sergeant Juarez was proud to pin a junior deputy badge on her safety patrol belt.

The photo carries deeper meaning as well. Deputies understand that representation matters — especially in meaningful community engagement. The ASO team proudly reflects the wonderful diversity of our community, and this young girl can look to Sergeant Juarez as a strong and authentic example of what Latinas can achieve in public safety and the respect and responsibility they carry in our community.

This year’s contest theme was Uplifting the Image: Highlighting Heroes. According to the COPS website, winners were “selected from inspiring submissions that highlight policing in action and honor our nation’s law enforcement heroes.”

Virginia made a strong showing this year, with both ASO and the Lynchburg Police Department earning spots among the 12 national finalists.